During your menstrual cycle, hormones play a crucial role in controlling your monthly cycle and overall menstrual health. Understanding the impact of these 4 hormones can help you navigate through your periods with ease.
Understanding hormones can be likened to solving a complex puzzle. Each hormone is interconnected and has a significant impact on a woman’s body, particularly during the menstrual cycle. The cycle begins on the first day of your period and ends with the start of your next period, with an average duration of 25–35 days. However, the length of the cycle may vary from woman to woman. Hormones fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle’s phases and can affect not just the body but also the mind and overall menstrual health in various ways. Here, we aim to provide insight into how these hormones function.
How many phases are there in the menstrual cycle?
There are 4 phases in the menstrual cycle, each characterized by the secretion of specific hormones and performing distinct functions.
1. Follicular phase
The follicular phase, which lasts from the first day of the period until ovulation (13–15 days), involves the release of stimulating hormones from the pituitary gland follicle to aid in egg production. Additionally, estrogen hormones are secreted to rebuild the uterine lining during this phase.
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2. Period phase
The period phase begins on the first day and lasts until the period flow ceases. During this phase, the body sheds the uterine lining, leading to reduced estrogen and progesterone levels, which can result in low energy and mood swings. Subsequently, the uterus regenerates its lining, and the ovaries produce follicles containing eggs.
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3. Ovulation phase
The ovulation phase occurs approximately 13–15 days into the cycle when an egg is released from the uterus for potential fertilization. Estrogen levels peak just before ovulation, signaling a surge in luteinizing hormone. Women often experience increased energy and positivity during this brief period.
4. Luteal phase
The luteal phase follows ovulation and extends until the next period. The egg follicles released transform into the corpus luteum, which produces estrogen and progesterone. If fertilization occurs, progesterone supports pregnancy; otherwise, the uterine lining breaks down in preparation for the next period. This cycle repeats with each menstrual cycle.
Here are 4 hormones involved in the menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle is a complex and regulated process that occurs in females of reproductive age. It involves a series of hormonal changes resulting from 4 main hormones during the period: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen, luteinizing hormone (LH), and progesterone.
1. Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH)
FSH plays a crucial role in the menstrual cycle by stimulating the growth of ovarian follicles, each containing an immature egg. As menstruation begins, FSH levels rise, promoting follicle development and estrogen production, preparing the uterus for potential pregnancy. Elevated FSH levels contribute to ovulation, releasing a mature egg for fertilization. Any abnormalities in this hormone can cause infertility in men or women.
2. Oestrogen
Rising estrogen levels in the follicular phase stimulate the thickening of the uterine lining, preparing it for a potential pregnancy and promoting egg maturation in the ovaries. As menstruation approaches, a drop in estrogen triggers egg release and initiates the luteal phase. Declining estrogen leads to the shedding of the uterine lining if fertilization doesn’t occur, affecting fertility and reproductive health.
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3. Luteinizing hormone
LH stimulates the ovarian follicles to produce estrogen, essential for egg maturation, and triggers ovulation by releasing the mature egg. Following ovulation, LH contributes to the formation of the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone to support the uterine lining for potential implantation. Understanding LH patterns is crucial for fertility tracking and contraception. Any disturbances in LH levels can impact ovulation, menstrual regularity, and fertility.
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4. Progesterone
Progesterone, released by the ovaries after ovulation, plays a vital role in preparing the uterine lining for potential embryo implantation during the luteal phase. If fertilization doesn’t occur, progesterone levels drop, triggering menstruation. This hormone helps regulate the menstrual cycle, maintain the endometrial lining for potential pregnancy, influence mood, and impact fertility and emotional well-being during the menstrual cycle.